Medications Causing Food Allergies

[knothing]

I have never had a food allergy in my life. In fact the only allergy I have is Tide and Cheer detergent, mainly in powder form. Twice since getting on 400mg Vimpat to go with the 3750mg Keppra I have had an allergic reaction to a food. The first time was at a Chinese buffet so I have no clue to the cause. Today I had some Orange juice and I am having another reaction. Has anyone ever heard of a medication causing a problem like this??

[RobinN]

Seems logical, since it is disrupting the natural balance of your body.

[Nakamova]

When I was on Zonegran, it made me more vulnerable to MSG -- maybe that's what happened with you and the Chinese buffet. Not sure why the OJ would cause problems -- grapefruit juice can affect absorption of meds (it did with the Zonegran) but it's unique in that way.

[Nakamova]

I did a little research -- apparently oranges are right there in the top ten as food allergens, and it's possible to develop the allergy later in life. Oranges have also been known to cause migraines (similar to what can happen with MSG) so there may be some sort of connection to other neurological goings-on like epilepsy. The Vimpat could be altering your brain chemistry in a way that is making you more sensitive. Or it could just be a cooincidence...

[Meetz1064]

also a couple of the things that you cannot have when on Carbatrol and other similar drugs. I'm not sure how similar Vimpat is to carbamazapine (Carbatrol) but that may be part of the problem, too.

MSG is just flat out not good for us anyway....it's one of those neurotoxins....

[Loudmouth]

LOL I've been on a completely gluten-free diet since April, but a few nights ago, I wavered and had a chinese takeaway with my new partner. *BOOM* My first tonic clonic seizure in over a year while I was asleep that night (woke up my new partner!), and later on the next day, another seizure, this time a drop attack. And for 48 hrs afterwards, I had 4 complex partial seizures as well. He had to take a day off work to help me with the kids, I was soooo out of it. I WONT be making that mistake again! NO MORE MSG!!! Am going to religiously stick to the GF diet now, didn't really realise HOW much of an effect it had really had till I slipped up!

[RobinN]

Lucky that you have a direct response. I wish we had something that would be. Rebecca's are narrowed down, but not enough for her to begin to say.... "ahh, now I get it!"

[knothing]

I am sure it has to be the Vimpat causing this. I even tried another test but with a drink containing 5% orange juice. The result was a small amount of itching and throat swelling. The effects were short lived. The other disturbingly good part is my wife has a giant list of allergies so we always have an antihistamine available and it does the trick so if I ever have orange on accident I can always take that. Also thanks to her there is alway an epileptologist-pen around.

Funny how life is at times. Thanks to all again for the quick and great respones.